DNA Oxidative Damage Test

Oxidative damage is a major problem with respects to poor health. Oxidative toxicity causes organ damage and can increase the potential for a wide variety of illness such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and neurological conditions. In fact, it is felt by many medical researchers that the vast majority of chronic health conditions, including many chronic degenerative diseases are linked to some form of oxidative damage.

What causes oxidative damage? The human body naturally goes through a “wear and tear” process as we age. We have natural chemicals which help to prevent and repair some of this damage. However, when the “wear and tear” is more than the body can handle we start to develop degenerative conditions, i.e. arthritis, inflammation.

Infections can also be a source of oxidative stress. Viruses, bacteria, and even candida (yeast) can trigger oxidative stress leading to cell and organ damage in the body. Environmental chemicals, as well as toxic food may lead to damage as well creating the potential for poor health.

The DNA in our body is critical for healthy cell function and optimal health overall. If our DNA become damaged this creates the potential for poor health. Our cells work hard to prevent against DNA damage, but at times this doesn’t happen.

The DNA Oxidative Damage Test evaluates for elevation of certain markers that detect oxidative damage at the cellular level. If the DNA Oxidative Damage Test is high it indicates the need for more antioxidants such as supplements and a healthy diet. It can also indicate the need to do further laboratory assessment to determine what may be leading to oxidative stress.

Overall, the DNA Oxidative Damage Test is a useful way of assessing oxidative damage at the cellular level that may be impeding optimal health.

Urinary Peptides Test

Gluten and casein can both cause allergic reactions for many people. This often manifests as digestive pain, bowel changes, gas, and bloating. In extreme circumstances skin rashes can appear or other systemic problems, i.e. headaches, sleeping problems. However, the chemical reactions to gluten and casein often go beyond the immune system.

Gluten is the protein found in wheat, and casein the main protein found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and ice cream. These proteins are comprised of small amino acid chains called peptides. These peptides have similarities structurally to an opiate chemical morphine. Therefore, in some people who consume gluten and dairy there body reacts negatively to the morphine-like chemical which can lead to neurological imbalances effecting mood, cognitive abilities, and overall brain function. Because these foods have an opiate effect they are referred to as “drug-like” substances and are reactive in the body beyond just the immune system. Some people with extreme sensitivity to gluten and casein have a chemical addiction to these peptides.

Various mental health disorders have been linked to these peptides such as autism, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. Others may feel groggy, have brain fog, or have poor memory. Not everyone has the same reaction or to the same degree.

The Urinary Peptide Test is a urine test from Great Plains Laboratory that evaluates a gluten morphine-like chemical called gliadomorphine, and a casein morphine-like chemical called caseomorphine. If either one of these peptides is elevated on the Urinary Peptide Test it indicates a chemical intolerance to that food protein, and either gluten foods, casein foods or both should be avoided.

The Urinary Peptide Test is also a good way to check the accuracy of a gluten and casein-free (GFCF) diet to make sure it is 100% pure. Often times people will be avoiding gluten and casein, then do the Urinary Peptide Tests from Great Plains Laboratory and find that one of the peptide markers is high indicating that something they are eating (even unknowingly) contains one of these peptides.

Food IgG Test – For Food Sensitivity

Food sensitivities generally involve a number of antibodies (aka. immunoglobulins), but the most prevalent one is called IgG. There are 4 different types of IgG – 1 thru 4. Each plays a different role in the immune system, but as a group they are useful to test against various foods to determine immune intolerance. When elevated they point to a problem that the immune system is hypersensitive and excess Total IgG levels can trigger inflammation throughout the body. Many people with Food IgG sensitivities complain of fatigue, headaches, sinus congestion, digestive problems such as pain, bloating, gas and bowel changes, as well as joint pain and stiffness. Therefore, the Food IgG Test is extremely useful for anyone looking to improve their overall health.

Food IgG is also correlated with a variety of mental health challenges, and elevated Total IgG is often seen positively correlated to depression, anxiety, autism, mood disorders and others. Many children on the autism-spectrum have elevated Total IgG to gluten, casein, corn and soy which correlates to behavior issues, sleeping problems and poor attention.

There are many tests on the market that use the IgG4 as their determining antibody for immune reactivity. However, this antibody is an incorrect marker to use solely as its elevation can indicate immune tolerance and actually has a blocking effect against food sensitivity. Therefore, the more accurate test to perform is Total IgG which is what the Food IgG Test from Great Plains Laboratory uses. This test is available as a finger prick analysis which makes it extremely easy to do at home, and bypasses the need to do blood testing which is problematic for some children. The Food IgG Test analyzes over 90+ foods and is highly accurate for immune sensitivities. The Food IgG Test from Great Plains is considered to be a foundational test to perform along with other metabolic tests such as the Organic Acid Test.

Porphyrins Profile – For Porphyrins Analysis

The Porphyrin Profile Test is an important test with respects to overall heavy metal assessment. Used along with a Hair Analysis, aka. Hair Toxic Metals and Elements it provides detailed information about the toxicity at the cellular level with respects to heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, etc. The Porphyrin Profile Test is a urine test that is collected at home. Each porphyrin on the Porphyrin Profile when elevated is suggestive of some type of environment insult effecting its production. The porphyrins in general are very sensitive to the presence of heavy metals.

Porphyrins are a chain biochemical reaction that occurs in the mitochondria of the cells. They produce a chemical called Heme which is used by the body to produce hemoglobin to carry oxygen. Heme is also used by the liver to aide in detoxification, and heme is also used in the brain to help remove toxins like mercury. Through the Porphyrin Profile Test you are able to assess whether one or a group of porphyrins are elevated which can indicate a toxic load of heavy metals in the cells.

A normal Porphyrin Profile Test doesn’t necessarily rule out the presence of heavy metals (which can then be cross checked with the Hair Analysis), but it helps to show that major toxicity is not likely occurring at the cellular level.

The Porphyrin Profile Test is a useful way to monitor heavy metal detoxification therapy overtime as well, particularly if an initial Porphyrin Profile Test was positive. Therefore, the Porphyrin Profile Test should be considered a baseline test, along with a Hair Analysis to check for cellular reactions to heavy metals, and determine the extent of toxicity that may be occurring.

Vitamin D Test – For Vitamin D Deficiency

The Vitamin D Test is an important assessment of vitamin D status in the body. Vitamin D plays a critical role in immune system health, as well as regulation of calcium for bone growth and other body systems. The Vitamin D Test is an easy to do test at home via a finger prick that is convenient, accurate, and non-painful. The Vitamin D Test is particularly useful for young children because a blood draw for vitamin D levels is not necessary. Through Vitamin D Testing you can easily obtain accurate information to help guide vitamin D supplementation to make sure you or your child is achieving optimal levels.

Vitamin D has long been thought to primarily support bone health through calcium absorption. What has now been discovered is that vitamin D is critically important for the brain and nervous system and deficiencies of vitamin D increase the risk for a wide variety of illnesses.

Multiple Sclerosis is one such chronic neuro-degenerative disease that is linked to Vitamin D deficiency. One interesting correlation is that Multiple Sclerosis levels worldwide increase significantly the further people live away from the equator. Research has shown that many individuals with Multiple Sclerosis who do repeated Vitamin D Testing, and supplement accordingly with Vitamin D see great improvement in their condition.

Autism is another disorder linked to Vitamin D deficiency. In fact, the lower levels of Vitamin D in pregnancy, the increase risk there is for autism in an offspring. This is not to state that Vitamin D deficiency is the only contributing factor to autism, but it does seem to play a role in some.

Vitamin D Testing is also important to make sure there is not an excess of vitamin D. To much vitamin D can be harmful as well. Therefore, it is highly recommended to do Vitamin D Testing multiple times throughout the year to monitor your vitamin D levels.

Urine Organic Acid Test

10 Reasons Every Individual Should Do a Urine Organic Acid Test From Great Plains Laboratory

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for various fungal toxins, including specific markers for candida. Many people rely on stool testing for candida diagnosis and miss the presence of candida toxins through the Organic Acid Test. Candida can create problems with brain function including goofiness, giddiness, and inappropriate laughter, as well as sensory problems and self-stimulatory behavior.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for two specific toxins related to clostridia bacteria – HPHPA and 4-cresol. Both of these toxins can inhibit a dopamine converting enzyme leading to excess dopamine and toxic reactions in the brain and nervous system. Behavior problems such as moodiness, irritability, aggression, self-injurious behavior, sleep problems and more is associated with clostridia bacteria overgrowth.

The information from the Organic Acid Test helps to prioritize treatment intervention instead of just assuming everything is a candida problem. Treating for candida when clostridia bacteria are present can lead to problems, i.e. worsening behavior.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for high oxalates (oxalic acid). Oxalates are compounds found in many foods, and can be worsened from candida overgrowth. High oxalates are associated with pain in the joints, muscles, and connective tissues. They can also trap heavy metals (such as mercury, lead, and arsenic) in the body, and lead to mineral imbalances as well. Behavior and self-injurious tendencies have been associated with high oxalates.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for mitochondrial imbalances. The mitochondria are the energy factories of our cells. Often they are stressed because of toxins from yeast, bacteria, metals, and even oxalates. Mitochondrial dysfunction is seen in autism and can be a contributing factor to poor attention and cognitive skills, as well as poor physical growth and development.

The Organic Acid Tests evaluates for imbalances in Dopamine (HVA) and Norepinephrine (VMA). The balance between these two important brain chemicals is critical for attention, focusing, mood, calmness and other functions of the nervous system. Attention deficit problems are commonly associated with norepinephrine imbalances.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for imbalances in serotonin (an important brain chemical for mood, fine and gross motor skills, and calmness), as well additional markers that can indicate toxic stress in the brain and nervous system such as Quinolinic Acid. High Quinolinic Acid is suggestive of toxic stress in the brain and is important to evaluate before implementing certain supplements particularly L-Tryptophan which is commonly used to help with sleep.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for two specific chemicals related to folate metabolism. Folate is part of the methylation cycle that supports the inner workings of the cells related to DNA function.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for various nutritional markers such as vitamin B6, B5, vitamin C, CoQ10, as well as N-Acetyl-Cysteine which is necessary for the production of glutathione.

The Organic Acid Test evaluates for glutathione production problems. Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant in our cells and is often deficient in autism. The Organic Acid Test evaluates for cellular markers related to this important antioxidant.

Overall, the Organic Acid Test from Great Plains Laboratory is critically important for overall health assessment and is considered a cornerstone diagnostic assessment for optimal health achievement.

Microbial Organic Acid Tests – For Microbial Toxins

The Microbial Organic Acid Test from Great Plains Laboratory is a smaller version of the larger Organic Acid Test. This test primarily focuses on yeast and bacterial toxins which help to pinpoint areas for intervention.

The Microbial Organic Acid Test evaluates for various fungal toxins, including specific markers for candida. Many people rely on stool testing for candida diagnosis and miss the presence of candida toxins through the Organic Acid Test. Candida can create problems with brain function including goofiness, giddiness, and inappropriate laughter, as well as sensory problems and self-stimulatory behavior.

The Microbial Organic Acid Test evaluates for two specific toxins related to clostridia bacteria – HPHPA and 4-cresol. Both of these toxins can inhibit a dopamine converting enzyme leading to excess dopamine and toxic reactions in the brain and nervous system. Behavior problems such as moodiness, irritability, aggression, self-injurious behavior, sleep problems and more is associated with clostridia bacteria overgrowth.

The information from the Microbial Organic Acid Test helps to prioritize treatment intervention instead of just assuming everything is a candida problem. Treating for candida when clostridia bacteria are present can lead to problems, i.e. worsening behavior.

Overall, the Microbial Organic Acid Test from Great Plains Laboratory is an important tool to help assess bacteria and candida toxins problems. If you are looking for an expanded profile for information related to oxalates, mitochondrial function, etc. than make sure to do the Organic Acid Test.

The Microbial Organic Acid Test can also be used as a follow-up test to the Organic Acid Test to specifically check candida and bacterial toxin levels.

Amino Acids Urine Test – For Amino Acid Imbalances

Amino acids play a vital role in our body and brain chemistry. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins which are needed by every cell and organ system. One area that is particularly dependent on optimal amino acids is the brain. The various neurochemicals, aka. neurotransmitters, in the brain are made up of certain amino acids.

The Amino Acid Urine Test is a useful way of assessing for amino acid status – either for deficiency or excess. The Amino Acid Urine Test is felt to give a more accurate assessment of total body storage of amino acids overtime versus blood testing which can easily be manipulated by diet, supplementation or starvation.

The Amino Acid Urine Test evaluates for essential (amino acids that need to be obtained from the diet) and non-essential (amino acids that can be created within the body). Also, various categories for digestive and absorption problems, nutrient deficiencies, and more is analyzed from the Amino Acid Urine Test.

Certain amino acids like Methionine, Cysteine, and Taurine, which are all sulfur containing amino acids, are often found deficient in certain mental health disorders, as well as autism. Autism-spectrum children seem to have a hard time holding on to taurine which is needed to maintain magnesium levels in the brain and provide substrate for the production of bile acids to help with fatty acid vitamin absorption. Other amino acid deficiencies are also seen through Amino Acid Urine Testing.

The Amino Acid Urine Test should be considered for anyone wanting to know the overall status of amino acids in the body, as well as those with fatigue, memory problems, neurological conditions, autism, anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges.